Mr. William Ray Flemming

William Ray Flemming, 93, died July 12, 2014 in Columbia. Ray was born on March 25, 1921 in Clarendon County to the late William and Lucy Hicks Flemming. Ray was a WWII veteran, having served in the US Navy in the Pacific Theater. A graduate of Clemson University, he remained a loyal Tiger throughout his life, was active in IPTAY, was a lifetime member of the Clemson Fund and the Clemson Alumni Association, and served on the University Board of Visitors. A great athlete, Ray lettered at Clemson in baseball and was a member of the Letterman’s Association. A homebuilder in the 1970’s and 1980’s, Ray was best known for his agricultural work as a produce broker, and he encouraged the growth of South Carolina business through his membership in the National Chamber of Commerce. In 2003, he was honored as “Mr. Peach” by the South Carolina Peach Growers Association for his lifelong work in the peach industry. Late in his business career, Ray founded the Midland’s Insurance Agency to serve the crop insurance needs of growers and farmers in South Carolina. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and golfer, and a longtime member of the Spring Valley Country Club. Ray had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed flying private airplanes for many years, often flying to Clemson to attend football games. He was the last remaining founding member of Kathwood Baptist Church, and later, as a member of Shandon Baptist Church, Ray served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and mentor to many young people over the years. He will be greatly missed by those who shared his friendship and fellowship, and most of all by his loving family. Ray is survived by his son, Bill Flemming (Susan); daughter, Kay Flemming; step-daughter, Terry McKoy (Marc); grandchildren, Matthew Flemming (Sissy), Ashley Flemming, Caroline Flemming, Lindsay Flemming, Madison McKoy, and Brittany McKoy; great-grandchildren, Jacob Flemming, Maddie Flemming, Isabella Flemming, and Mia Flemming; and by his special friend and companion, Judith Lawrence of Charleston, SC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Matejik Flemming; a daughter, Lu Ann Flemming Brooks; brothers, George Boyd Flemming, and Bruce Flemming; and sisters, Pauline Eleazer, and Marion Dickerson. The family would like to extend special thanks to Ms. Kelly Hane and the nurses and staff of Palmetto Health Hospice, as well as his caregivers, Latoya Lindsey, Sanette Campbell, and Shatera Crosby, for their care and support. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, July 15th, at 10 o’clock at Greenlawn Memorial Park with a memorial service following at Shandon Baptist Church at 11 o’clock with The Rev. Jerry Long officiating, and with his Sunday School class serving as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 8 o’clock at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Dr, Columbia. In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Flemming’s establishment of the South Carolina Peach Council Research Quasi-Endowment Fund, memorials may be made to the fund at 155 Old Greenville Hwy, Unit #105, Clemson, SC 29631, or to the Shandon Baptist Church Celebration Choir, 5250 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC 29206.

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Mr. William Ray Flemming

March 25, 1921 - July 12, 2014